The Black Racer

I have a Black Racer who lives just outside of my window. My first encounter with her was when I was doing yard work a few months earlier. I came across a patch of her shed skin which I posted in a previous article,  The Virtues of Yard Work. Since then she has shown herself quite frequently.

I see her most often between 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Trying to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight before darting off. I love this photo of her. She has her white chin propped up on a leaf. 

My cat loves to watch her as well. This is the closest he has ever been to a snake. He watched her intently as she bobbed her head up and down before sliding off into the bushes. 

I caught this lovely shot of her coiled up at the edge of my window. At close to three feet in length, she is one of the largest Black Racers I have ever seen. Her white chin raised up accentuating her graceful body. 

Big Tree Park and Wekiva Springs

Freddy and I spontaneously planned to visit some local parks while we were stuck working the early morning shift at Starbucks. Later that same day I had a camera full of great photos. I love it when a plan falls together.

Our first stop was Big Tree Park. I was on the boardwalk and I looked over the side to see a shallow pool of water. It captured the reflection of the trees above it and became this shimmering natural tapestry.

This is The Senator - a 3,500 year old Cyprus tree. It is one of the oldest trees on the planet. Up until now I had no idea that I was living so close to it. I wasn't even able to stand far enough away to get the top of the tree in the shot. 

This is the top of the tree - 118 feet in the air.

Freddy and his friend Elena. 

We were lucky enough to spot a wild king snake. 

On the way out of the park I couldn't help but notice this wooden railing. It looks like a monkey sticking its tongue out at me. 

Marya, Freddy's girlfriend, was able to join us at Wekiva Springs.

At one point I looked up to see a banana spider so large that it created a five foot web between two trees. 

A beautiful display in the clouds as the sun sets over Wekiva Springs.